Justin Herbert has been four weeks since the Los Angeles Chargers’ season ended, but he has already set his sights on what will be another transition season for him.
For the fourth time as a college or NFL quarterback, Herbert will spend an off-season learning a new playbook and system. The Chargers hired Brandon Staley as coach on January 17 after firing Anthony Lynn a day after the season ended.
During his introductory news conference, Staley pointed out that he has spoken to Herbert twice since being appointed coach. Herbert said the calls left a positive impact.
“Being as busy as he was going with everything, he reached out to me, and it meant a lot to me,” Herbert said. He was named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year on Thursday, an award based on fan vote. “We just talked about what he saw ahead. I know it’s going to talk about the offense and all that stuff soon. ‘
Herbert began looking at the band from the New Orleans offense of previous seasons to get a better feel for what new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi could install. Herbert also thinks the transition could be easier because John Beck – with whom Herbert practices in Huntington Beach, California – has worked with Drew Brees in the past.
As for the constant changes, Herbert hopes it’s the last one for a while.
“I’ve been through this before. It would be great to have one playbook during your career, but it’s not always going to happen that way,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to learn. You always learn from every playbook. I think you have a good understanding of the game of football, the more you go through it. I had the opportunity to play with so many different guys. “learning and philosophies, and I think that helped my game. Hopefully this is the last change I will make because I really believe in those two guys.”
Herbert, who was the third fullback and overall sixth in last April’s draft, could only become the second player in franchise history to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year when it was announced on Saturday during the NFL Honors show word. A Charger won it three times on the defensive side. Herbert set rookie records (31) and runners-up at 4,336.
As the Chargers faced both Tampa Bay and Kansas City this season, Herbert has a unique view of Sunday’s Super Bowl game.
“These are two teams that probably have the two best defenses in the league, and I don’t think they get enough credit as they deserve,” he said. ‘Whether it is now [Kansas City safety] Tyrant Mathieu of [Tampa Bay safety] Antoine Winfield, you have a bunch of guys on both sides of the ball to look at and also two incredible backs. So no matter what happens, I know it’s going to be an incredible game. ‘